Episcopalians have a special name for everything....from the cloth hangings which decorate the altar and lectern (paraments), to the small square linen-covered cardboard which covers the chalice at the altar (pall), from the lobby just inside the church building (narthex), to the room in which the altar equipment and linens are kept (sacristy). To help familiarize you with some of these names, we've included a dictionary of sorts of some of the common words you'll hear at St. Christopher's.

Absolutionact whereby the priest or bishop formally pronouces forgiveness of sins to those who have confessed them. Back to Top

Acolyteacolytes assist the priest, lights and carries candles, and performs other ceremonial functions. Back to Top

Adventthe first season of the church's calendar, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and running until the first Eucharist of Christmas. Advent is the season of preparation for the incarnation of Christ.Back to Top

Albthe white robe worn by the ministers of the service; generally worn over daily clothes but under other vestments, scarves, etc. Back to Top

Apocryphacollection of writings that were part of the Greek Bible of the Jewish community at the beginning of the Christian era. These books were not included in the canon of Scripture established by rabbis in Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Anglicans use the apocryphal books in liturgical readings and hold them as "examples of life and instruction of manner" but not for doctrinal matters.Back to Top

Ash Wednesday the day which marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a period of spiritual discipline, fasting and moderation in preparation for Holy Week and Easter; one of the most important days of the church year. In the Ash Wednesday service, ashes are lightly smeared onto the forehead of a person by the priest or bishop. Back to Top

Baptism"Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ's Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God." (Book of Common Prayer, page 858) Back to Top

Bible, Theprimary source of inspiration and the single most important book for Episcopalians. Three or more readings from the bible are read in a typical worship service. Over 80% of the Book of Common Prayer comes from the bible.Back to Top

Blessing usually coming at the end of a service or gathering when a Bishop or Priest gives God's blessing to all gathered. Back to Top

Book Of Common Prayer, Thea collection of prayers, readings, Psalms, devotions, and services used by the Episcopal Church; the worship book used by Episcopalians. Nearly all services in any Episcopal Church will be printed in this book. Also known as The Prayer Book. Back to Top

Canon a term used for the accepted, or "canonical" books of Scripture. There are 39 books of the Old Testament, 27 books of New Testament and 14 books of the Apocrypha. Also: slang for referring to Canon Law. Also: the title of a priest who serves on the staff of a cathedral (except the head staff priest of the cathedral, who is called the dean.Back to Top

Canon Law the official rules and regulations governing the Episcopal Church and all of the Provinces and Dioceses and Parishes therein. The laws of the Episcopal Church. Back to Top

Cassocka black robe worn by priests or deacons, and are usually worn with a white over-garment called a surplice.Back to Top

Catechismoutline of the faith, usually in the form of questions and answers. The Epicopal catechism is found on pages 843-862 of The Prayer Book.Back to Top

catholic (small 'c')literally, "universal" or "found everywhere." We affirm each week in the Nicene Creed that we are a "holy, catholic, and apostolic church." Back to Top

Cathedralan Episcopal Church which is the official church of a bishop of a diocese; sometimes such churches are indicated by the word Cathedral in their name, but not always. Cathedrals are usually in the charge of a priest who is referred to as the Dean of the Cathedral. Not all large churches are cathedrals; not all cathedrals are large. Back to Top

Celebrant the main priest in a Eucharist; the priest who performs the consecration of the bread and wine; the celebrant may be assisted by other priests, deacons, chalice bearers, acolytes, etc. Back to Top

Chaplainthe clergy person in charge of a chapel or one who ministers to a small group of people.Back to Top

Chasublea type of vestment worn by the celebrant during the Eucharist. It is usually oval in shape with a hole for the head to pass through. Different color chasubles are used during the different church seasons: Advent is purple or blue; Christmas is white; Epiphany is green; Lent is purple; Easter is white; and the season after Pentecost is green. Weddings and funerals are white (for celebration) while Pentecost Sunday and ordinations are red, the signify the presence of the Holy Spirit. [Black is sometimes used on Good Friday.] Back to Top

ChristmasDecember 25; the Feast of the Nativity of Christ. One of the six seasons of the church year.Back to Top

Church Annual The Episcopal Church Annual: the yearbook of the Episcopal Church containing names and addresses of all Episcopal organizations, dioceses, churches, a list of all clergy, etc. Sometimes also called the "Red Book." Back to Top

Communicants the members of a local church; those who do or who are eligible to receive communion; loosely identified with the roll of the local church. Back to Top

Confirmationfrom two Latin words - firmare, which means "to strengthen," and com, which adds force to the word. Literally to confirm is to "strengthen greatly." At Confirmation a person makes a mature, public confession that he or she accepts Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior, thus owning up to the vows his or her godparents made for him or her at his or her baptism. The bishop then lays his or her hands on the confirmand, and prays for the Holy Spirit to "strengthen greatly" the person in the rest of his or her life. Confirmation is considered to be one of the five sacramental acts, or minor sacraments of the Church. Back to Top

Convention, Generala gathering every three years of the national Episcopal Church; at General Convention each diocese is represented by appointed or elected deputies. At General Convention the basic regulations and decisions that govern the church are made. For voting, the General Convention consists of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. Back to Top

Cotta a short robe top, often white, often worn by choir members, acolytes and ministers of communion. Back to Top

Crucifera person in a religious procession who bears the cross and who leads the procession into the church. Back to Top

Cursillo (Cur-see-oh)a contemporary, popular movement of Christian renewal in the Episcopal Church involving a 4-day retreat followed up by spiritual disciplines and gatherings. Back to Top

Deacon the initial, or "first" level of ordination in the Episcopal Church. By tradition the Gospel is read by the deacon if a deacon is present during the service. A Permanent Deacon is usually involved in Servant Ministry such as chaplaincy and/or outreach ministries. Back to Top

Diocese a unit of church organization; the spiritual domain under a bishop. A diocese may contain many parishes and churches. Back to Top

Easterfestival that commemorates the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the third day after he was crucified, representing the primary tenent of the Christian faith. Easter is a movable feast, which means it does not always fall on the same day each year. Easter is always the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox (first day of Spring). By this calculation, Easter could occur anytime from March 22, to April 25. The length of Epiphany and the Season after Pentecost, as well as the dates of Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Ascension Day, Pentecost, and Trinity Sunday are all determined by the date of Easter. Easter is also a Church season, spanning the 40 days (six Sundays) after Easter, to Ascension Day. Back to Top

Elements the bread and the wine that is used during the Holy Eucharist. Small circular bread wafers are also called "the host", and the large circular bread wafer is known as "the priest's host." Back to Top

EpiphanyJanuary 6; a feast celebrating the visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus; the end of the Christmas season. Back to Top

Genuflectionan act of reverence by kneeling until one knee touches the floor and then rising again. People usually genuflect when entering or leaving their pews, though it is appropriate at other times as well.Back to Top

Gospel, The any reading from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John in the New Testament; also a general reference to the essential message of the Christian faith.Back to Top

High Church a designation of a church emphasizing theological or liturgical formality; a church with several vested assistants and many fine utensils used in the service; a church that sings or chants its service rather than reading or speaking it; a church that celebrates the Eucharist every Sunday (though most Episcopal Churches do this now). Such churches sometimes appear to be more "catholic." Back to Top

Holy Ordersa way of referring to ordination among Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, and others: an ordained person is spoken of as "being in holy orders"--meaning that the person has made priestly vows and has been admitted by a bishop into one of the several levels of ordination. Back to Top

Holy Week the period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday; most important period of the church year with many special services. Back to Top

Hymn sacred words set to music; church vocal music involving the congregation and distinguished from the Psalm or anthem. Back to Top

Incense the "smell" element in Smells & Bells; a fragrant (and now usually hypoallergenic) powder burned in a small dish or pot; used during the service or in the processions in recollection of one of the three gifts of the wise men to the Christ Child. Back to Top

Laity the non-ordained members of a church; all lay persons together; "the people" as distinguished from "the clergy." Back to Top

Lay person any non-ordained person; in the Episcopal church today, lay person is often used instead of the older protestant usage "layman".Back to Top

Lay Reader any non-ordained person who participates in reading part of a church service. In some churches Lay Readers are officially recognized as a special group assisting in church services. Back to Top

Lectern a raised platform with railing used for reading prayers or scripture; usually located at the front of the nave opposite the pulpit. Back to Top

Lectionary the complex series of Biblical readings used in the Episcopal Church throughout the year. Back to Top

Lent the period of fasting, sobriety, and meditation following Ash Wednesday; in the past Lent was widely associated with denial or "giving something up for Lent.": "I gave up smoking for Lent." Or, "I gave up desserts for Lent." The season recalls the period of Christ's fasting and meditation in the wilderness, so traditionally is for a period of forty days--from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday. The term is derived from an old word for 'lengthen' which referred to the lengthening days of early spring. Back to Top

Lesson also the Epistle; any reading from the Bible except the Gospels or Psalms; usually read on the opposite side of the church from where the Gospel is read; in older practice the Lesson was read from the "Epistle Side"--the right side facing the altar, while the Gospel was read from the "Gospel Side"--the left side facing the altar. Current practice in many Episcopal churches does not conform to this older pattern. Back to Top

Liturgy literally the word means the work of the people; generally used to refer to the full text of the words of a worship service; any ritual order for holding a church service. Back to Top

Low Church a church that is less formal; a church that does not chant or sing its service; a church that alternates Morning Prayer with Eucharist; such churches sometimes appear to be more "protestant". Back to Top

Mission a local Episcopal congregation that has not yet attained the status of a church with a full-time priest; also a church that has lost its church status and reverted to mission status. Usually a mission does not have a full-time minister and does not have the full complement of daily or weekly services. Back to Top

Maundy Thursday the Thursday of Holy Week; the name is from Latin "mandatum" referring to Christ's commandment concerning foot-washing; also the day on which the first Lord's Supper was celebrated. Back to Top

Morning Prayera Daily Office found in The Book of Common Prayer. Intended for personal devotion in the morning. The other Daily Offices are Noonday Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline. Back to Top

Narthex an enclosed space at the entry end of the nave of a church; the entry porch or vestibule of a church: "The ushers will line up in the Narthex." Back to Top

Nave the main part of a church; the place where the congregation sits. Derived from an old word for ship; in older churches the beams of the roof resembled the beams and timbers in the sides of a ship. Back to Top

Palm Sunday the Sunday before Easter. In an Episcopal Church, members of the congregation carry real palms during the service; in some churches, the tradition is that palms from one year are saved, dried and later burned to make the ashes used at the next year's Ash Wednesday service. Back to Top

Paramentscloth hangings used to decorate the altar, pulpit, lectern, or other worship space.
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Peace, Thealso known as Passing the Peace; a ritual in the Episcopal Church in which members of the congregation, including the clergy, greet one another. The priest says, "The Peace of the Lord be always with you." The congregation responds, "And also with you." Immediately after these words people shake hands or speak or sometimes embrace in the church. Back to Top

Pentecost the Festival Sunday that comes fifty days after Easter in which we commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the twelve Disciples after Christ's Resurrection (Acts 2). Pentecost is traditionally seen as the birthday of the church, and is also the beginning of the longest season in the church - the season after Pentecost. The season after Pentecost runs from the day of Pentecost to the first Sunday in Advent.
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Piscinathe stone or porcelain basin from which a drain pipe carries to the ground the water used in the ablutions. It is also the most convenient way for many Altar Guilds to dispose of the remaining consecrated wine after a service. The piscina is never, ever to be hooked up to the building's plumbing. Back to Top

Prayer Book a short way of referring to the Book of Common Prayer, the worship book of the Episcopal Church containing services, psalms, prayers, etc. Back to Top

Rite One a portion of the Book of Common Prayer which contains worship services using the older language of the 1928 edition of the prayer book.Back to Top

Rite Two a portion of the Book of Common Prayer containing worship services which use more modern language. Back to Top

Rogation SundayThis is the day which by ancient custom the fields were blessed for the harvest. It is when we honor God who created the earth and its fruits and give thanks for them. It is also a day to consider our responsibility as stewards of the earth and recognize that all of creation is precious to our Lord. Rogation Sunday is the Sunday before Ascension Day.Back to Top

Sacramentoutward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace. (BCP 857) The two given by Christ to the Church are Baptism and Eucharist (Communion). The five lesser sacraments are confirmation, ordination, marriage, reconciliation of a penitent, and laying on of hands and anointing with oil for healing.Back to Top

Sanctuary the portion of a church at the head of the chancel around the altar; the space immediately around the altar. Sometimes used to refer to the whole interior of the church, but this is not the usual Episcopal usage. Back to Top

Seasonsa way of marking time in the Church. There are six seasons: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and the season after Pentecost. The church new year begins with the season of Advent, which marks the advent, or coming, of our Lord. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas day. Christmas is a twelve-day season that begins Christmas day and continues to January 6th. Epiphany is both a day (Jan.6) and a season, and represents the manifestation (epiphany) of the gospel into the world. Lent begins 46 days before Easter with Ash Wednesday, and is a time of preparation for Holy Week and Easter. Easter is a six week (50 day) season which ends on Pentecost Sunday. The season after Pentecost runs from Pentecost to Advent.Back to Top

Sexton an older English title for the person in charge of the church building [or a special portion of it] and grounds; in America the Sexton is also commonly head of maintenance and custodial services. Back to Top

Shrove Tuesdaythe final day before the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. At St. Christopher's we celebrate with an Oyster Roast; other Episcopal churches hold pancake suppers. Back to Top

"Smells & Bells" a way of describing a "high" church; a church that frequently uses incense, bells, candles, chimes, vestments all together in worship services. Back to Top

Stole a long, narrow strip of cloth worn around the neck and allowed to hang down the front of the clerical vestments of the bishop and priest; worn right to left by a deacon; some stoles are decorated with diocesan or school insignia near the lower ends; an all black "stole", usually with insignia is known as a tippet. Back to Top

Twelve Days of Christmas the time from December 25th to January 6th, that is from Christmas day to Epiphany. The time from the first Sunday in Advent until Christmas Eve is, properly, Advent; the time from December 25th to January 6th is the Christmas season or the "Twelve Days of Christmas." Back to Top

Torch [Torch Bearer] a person who carries a candle in a religious procession; often the Crucifer is followed by two "Torches"--two persons each carrying a candle mounted on a short staff. Back to Top

Trinity, The a fundamental symbol of the Christian faith and a very important doctrine in catholic Christianity; the Trinity refers to the oneness and essential unity of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Back to Top

Vergeran older usage for someone who carries a mace or ceremonial staff in procession; vergers sometimes also had responsibility for the condition of the interior of a church. Back to Top

Vestmentsclothing worn by people who lead the services of a church; clothing worn by clergy. (The clothing worn by monks and nuns is usually called a "habit"; the clothing worn by choir members is usually called a "robe"; the clothing worn by professors is usually called a "gown.") Colors used in some vestments are changed during the year to indicate the seasons of the church year. Vestments are usually styled by cut and color to indicate whether a person is a deacon, presbyter, or bishop. Bishops' vestments for instance include a purple shirt. Back to Top

Vestry governing board of a local Episcopal church consisting of lay members, much like the board of deacons in a Baptist church; the group that usually makes basic decisions about church budget, building plans, etc. Usually headed by a Senior Warden assisted by a Junior Warden who often follows the Senior Warden in office. Back to Top

"Via Media"a Latin phrase which means "by the way of the middle." The Episcopal Church seeks the middle way between catholicism and protestantism, while holding onto traditions, beliefs, and practices from both.Back to Top

Vicar an older English term referring to a priest in charge of a vicarage--a small parish; usually such priests were substituting for the "official" or assigned priest; sometimes but not often used by American Episcopal clergy. Back to Top

Wafer the bread part of the Lord's Supper; often an unleavened, thin cracker; sometimes the wafer is imprinted with a cross; some wafers are large, being several inches in diameter. Back to Top

Wine the beverage portion of communion symbolizing the blood of Christ; NOT grape juice used in some protestant churches. Back to Top

St. Christopher's Episcopal Church

St. Christopher's Episcopal Church reveals the light of Christ as a beacon of love in the world.